Yabu, Valdez say stints in opener no big deal

When a Japanese reporter expressed surprise to manager Bruce Bochy that he used reliever Keiichi Yabu on Opening Day, Bochy smiled and said, "I was hoping I wouldn't use him Opening Day. He's our long guy."

A shutout inning resulted from Yabu's first major-league appearance since 2005. He relieved Merkin Valdez, whose two other big-league games came in 2004 with the Giants, when he was 22.

Each insisted he neither was nervous nor extra emotional Monday. Yabu said he was more choked up watching a pregame ceremony in which 40 Dodgers of the past were introduced. One was Fernando Valenzuela, a teammate of Yabu's in the Mexican winter league two years ago.

Valdez said he was more nervous when he debuted four seasons ago. He had good reason to be. His first big-league hitter was Albert Pujols, who hit a double. The second time, his first hitter was Ken Griffey Jr. Valdez struck him out.

Valdez and Yabu had different reasons for their hiatuses. Yabu was in his late 30s and could not find a job after his lone big-league season in Oakland. Valdez blew out his elbow. Now, both could become valuable members of a bullpen that will need to be stout if the Giants are to win close games.

Although both said that pitching Monday was not emotional, Bochy said, "I don't buy that. It had to be special. When I told both of them they made the team, you could see their faces light up. I've got to think both of them were excited to get on the mound and throw the ball."

The lineup card: There was a lineup change after the Dodgers' 5-0 Opening Day win, but not from Bochy. L.A. manager Joe Torre benched Matt Kemp, moved Russell Martin to second in the order, dropped Andre Ethier to third and had Juan Pierre play left field and bat seventh. Torre's motivation was getting Pierre into the lineup so he would not get rusty.

"If I change the lineup now, it may send a sense that I'm panicking," Bochy said. "We need them. We need them to have the years they're accustomed to having to have success. We know we've got good younger players waiting for an opportunity."